Patents Examined by Donald J. Lecher
  • Patent number: 5590928
    Abstract: An improved doorstop provides increased safety along with the simplified operation over previous doorstops. The doorstop is adapted to be mounted directly to the door in close proximity to an immovable surface such as the floor or a door channel. The device includes a frictional contact member which is leveraged from a first position away from the immovable surface to a second position in frictional contact with the surface. The improved doorstop is useful on sliding doors as well as hinged doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: Danut Voiculescu
  • Patent number: 5590554
    Abstract: An endlessly clockwise/counterclockwise idly rotatable burglarproof door lock in which a rotary switch of a rotary switch assembly is formed with a central projecting hub on a front surface thereof. The projecting hub has a recess frame, a notch and an engaging socket. A circular hole is formed on the rotary switch beside the projecting hub. A lock core body is disposed in the projecting hub. A rotary plate and a pushing plate are disposed on the lock core body. A first steel ball is disposed in the notch and a second steel ball and a spring are disposed in the circular hole. A copper ring is disposed on the front surface of the rotary switch. A circular orbit and a semicircular engaging hole are formed on the bottom of the copper ring. An engaging block of the door lock body is formed with a hook-like front end and restrained by a spring, whereby the engaging block can control a pushing block to move forward and rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: I-Hui Ho
  • Patent number: 5590917
    Abstract: A combination lock/deadbolt is connected to a push-to-open panic-bar device to operate in response to push-bar operation, thereby withdrawing both the push-bar latchbolt and the deadbolt permitting instantaneous and unrestricted egress from a secured area. To maintain the security of the area from unauthorized entry from outside the secured area, a connection between the push-to-open device and the combination lock/deadbolt assembly is implemented with a lost motion connection. The lost motion device, preferably is a flexible cable transmitting force only in tension, assures that any operation of the combination lock/deadbolt will not effect the security provided by the push-to-open device. Further, the push-to-open device may be provided both with a conventional key cylinder lock and a knob, ever, or thumb lever release on the door exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignees: Mas-Hamilton Group, N T Monarch Hardware
    Inventors: Harold L. Brooks, Thomas R. Clark, Kun H. Kim, James W. Overbey
  • Patent number: 5581963
    Abstract: Wall elements have edge cavities that extend inwardly through their side edge and have locking lugs inwardly of the cavities. Lock pins are provided between the wall elements for each cavity and are associated with the locking lugs for securely locking two wall elements together by moving the wall elements into edge-to-edge abutting relation. The cavities have a leveraging surface capable of pivoting the lock pins out of engagement with the locking lugs and thus disconnection of the wall elements upon relative vertical movement of adjacent wall elements. The invention is capable of assembling knock-down walled enclosures such as work spaces of substantially any size and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: Robert W. Snair, Donald R. Snair
  • Patent number: 5582442
    Abstract: A latch assembly and process for manufacturing such an assembly and process for painting an assembly with a pivoting member are disclosed. The latching assembly comprises a body, a latch moveable between open and closed positions, and a thumb turn mounted for pivotal movement in the body. The thumb turn includes a cylindrical boss mounted for rotation in the body about a central axis of rotation, and a lever arm extending radially outwardly from the central axis of rotation of the cylindrical boss to a free end exposed outside of the body. A plurality of resilient arms having free hook ends engage the cylindrical boss to hold the cylindrical boss in the body while allowing for rotational movement of the cylindrical boss with pivotal movement of the lever arm. The free hook ends are held in a separate position which prevents rotational movement during the painting step of the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Nolte
  • Patent number: 5580107
    Abstract: An improved latch hook mechanism for portable PCs and the like is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a portable PC latch mechanism of the present invention comprises a latch assembly including a latch hook disposed on the exterior of the bezel portion of the lid of the PC and connected to an arm of approximately the same length as the latch hook via a longitudinally disposed spring member, both of which are disposed within the interior of the lid. The spring member defines an axis about which the latch hook and the arm may be caused to rotate relative to one another when force is applied to the free end of the arm. One end of a ribbon cable is connected to the free end of the arm. The remainder of the cable is arranged such that it extends down the interior of the lid of the PC through one of the hinges connecting the lid to the base of the PC and is secured to the rear interior of the base via a hook or screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventor: Bryan Howell
  • Patent number: 5577781
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking an aircraft door provided in the outer wall of an aircraft includes at least one locking shaft pin that locks the aircraft door in a fixed, closed position relative to the outer wall of the aircraft when the locking shaft pin is positioned or rotated into a locking position. The locking shaft pin is connected to a mechanical linkage forming a positioning arrangement. The positioning arrangement is coupled to a control element, which essentially includes a membrane connected to a control rod. The membrane is arranged within a housing so as to form an interior air chamber on one side of the membrane and an exterior air chamber on the other side of the membrane. The air pressure of the cabin interior is applied to the interior air chamber through an interior air pressure port, and the exterior ambient air pressure is applied to the exterior air chamber through an exterior air pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Kallies, Wolfgang Lessat-Kaupat, Thomas Luebbe
  • Patent number: 5570914
    Abstract: The Earthquake Actuated Door Latch mounts outside a cabinet or beside the cabinet door. The device contains a pivoted catch assembly with a weight on one end and a door catch, or hook, on the other. The catch assembly is stable in two positions, one on each side of the cabinet door. An earth tremor causes the weight to shift out of the cocked position to the operated position (the second stable position) putting the hook where it interferes with opening of the cabinet door. Weight and hook move as a unit, minimizing delay, and an internal lock prevents rebound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Harry H. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5568952
    Abstract: A shackle seal which includes a housing which is open at least at one end and which receives, through the open end, a bail or shackle strap having a plurality of spaced locking elements along at least a portion of the length thereof which are engagable by at least two locking cages, each of which includes flexible locking fingers for engaging the locking elements of the strap. A first of the locking cages is fixedly mounted adjacent the at least one opening in the housing while a second of the locking cages is movable within the housing so as to be selectively engagable with the locking fingers of the first cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Stoffel Seals Corporation
    Inventor: Erwin Ruegg
  • Patent number: 5562315
    Abstract: A retainer for securing and retaining a pre-hung door unit in a closed position relative to a door jamb assembly. The retainer includes a shaped cylindrical plug configured to fit closely in the edge bore of the door. A configured end of the plug accommodates both circular and rectangular bores that are normally provided in the strike side of the door jamb. The plug is inserted into the edge bore of the door and the door is closed relative to the door jamb assembly. The plug is then moved in the edge bore so that the configured end engages the bore in the strike side to thus secure the door in the closed position. Slots provided in the configured end of the plug are arranged to receive a retention tab to secure the plug in position. The retainer is particularly suited for door jamb assemblies that have a blind bore in the strike side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Charles R. Sales
  • Patent number: 5556142
    Abstract: A latch and keeper combination for use with an aircraft panel or the like for joining one member to another member under tension and shear loading. A keeper for attaching to one member and having a bracket with an eye bolt and a bushing included therein, and a latch for attaching to another member and having a housing with cover and a hook, a lever and a shear pin included therein. The hook and lever are rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis, with the hook having an arcuate finger for engaging the keeper eye bolt, with the shear pin sliding into and out of the keeper bushing and with the lever driving the pin. The hook rotates the lever to a closed position to engage the shear pin with the bushing and to an open position to disengage the shear pin from the bushing. A plunger carried in the housing for translation along the axis, and a spring in the housing for urging the plunger outward along the axis, with plunger and hook providing for locking the hook in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Frank A. Zankich
  • Patent number: 5551737
    Abstract: A single-point latch for a door, having a housing, a bolt mounted in the housing for sliding along a first axis, an actuator mounted in the housing for sliding along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and first and second handles mounted in the housing for sliding along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. The latch further includes a first spring arrangement carried in the handles for urging the handles apart, with the handles and the actuator having first interengaging cam surfaces for moving the actuator along the second axis by movement of the handles along the third axis toward each other, the actuator and bolt having second interengaging cam surfaces for moving the bolt inward into the housing along the first axis by the movement of the handles along the third axis, and a second spring carried in the housing for urging the bolt outward from the body to a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Clavin
  • Patent number: 5542723
    Abstract: A portable privacy lock is disclosed for use in securing a door that swings on hinges from an open position to a closed position in which the edge of the door opposite its hinged side is adjacent to a closure surface with a clearance gap therebetween. The lock includes a flexible webbing which has a first end and a second end, and which is provided with a plurality of holes between said first and second ends. The lock also includes a first securing plate that is attached to the first end of the webbing and a second securing plate that is attached to the webbing at an intermediate position between the first and second ends thereof. The second plate is also provided with a hole that is aligned with one of the holes in the webbing. The lock also includes a latch that is adapted to receive a drawstring and to releasably engage it from motion with respect thereto, and a drawstring, one end of which is attached to the first plate or to the first end of the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Scharf
  • Patent number: 5531083
    Abstract: A cable lock is presented having a manually extendable flexible steel cable. One end of the cable can be withdrawn from the lock and the cable extended to a desired length for securing and intertwining a variety of valuable items, and the end returned to the cable lock where it is secured therein. The lock is generally bolted to a wall and a key allows the user to remove or lock the cable to secure items therewith. A generous supply of steel cable is available from an internal reel and an axially slidable, rotatable end cap provides release of the free end of the cable while in a first sector and provides continuous reel rotation to lengthen or shorten the cable while in a second sector of a cylindrical base protraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Windsor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Franck, III, James R. Jamerson
  • Patent number: 5531488
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock device comprises a first group lever consisting of three kinds of ratchet levers connected to a ratchet, and a second group lever consisting of two kinds of opening levers connected to an outer opening handle. First variation of the lock device having one-motion opening and self-canceling mechanisms can be realized by the first combination of a first ratchet lever and a first opening lever. Second variation of the lock device having one-motion opening mechanism but self-canceling mechanism can be realized by the second combination of a third ratchet lever and the first opening lever. Third variation of the lock device having self-canceling mechanism but one-motion opening mechanism can be realized by the third combination of a second ratchet lever and a second opening lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yoshikuwa, Tsuguo Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5511833
    Abstract: A combination handle and latching mechanism for sliding doors and windows includes a section of a first extrusion, in the form of an elongated base member which is secured to the frame. Two spaced angled slots are formed through the base member, with a first end near the frame and a second end located a greater distance from the frame when the base member is secured to the frame. A movable operating member overlies the base member and has rods therethrough and passing through the first and second slots to permit the operating member to be moved from a first position with the rods located in the slots at the end nearest the frame to a second position with the rods located in the slots at a greater distance from the frame to move the operating member from a position near the frame to a position away from the frame. An inwardly turned latching flange extends along one side of the operating member to overlie an outwardly extending flange adjacent the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Tashco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred F. Tashman, Dale L. Bargman, Jr.